08.09.2026
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What is the population of Oman in 2026? According to official estimates from the National Centre for Statistics and Information of Oman (NCSI), approximately 5.4 to 5.5 million people reside in the country in 2026. International demographic databases that use UN models (Worldometers, WorldPopulationReview, and others) give a higher estimate — around 5.67 million as of mid-2026 — so you will see different figures depending on the source.
Why do population figures for Oman differ between sources? The NCSI relies on administrative records (resident registration, visas, migration and other government registries), so its estimate is closer to the number of officially registered residents.
International organisations and aggregators based on UN data use demographic models with assumptions about birth rates, mortality, and migration, which results in a somewhat higher calculated figure and a discrepancy of several per cent between sources.
The population of Oman in 2026, based on the totality of open estimates and official data, lies in the range of approximately 5.4 to 5.7 million, and the variation is explained by the different counting methodologies, not by errors in the data.
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Table 1. Population of Oman in 2026 (according to estimates from different sources)
| Source | Population | Date | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCSI Oman (official government body) | ~5.4–5.5 million | 2026 | Current estimates; Administrative registration of residents |
| Publications based on NCSI data | ~5.4 million | First half of 2026 | Monthly bulletins and summaries |
| UN DESA / Worldometers | ~5,671,458 | Mid-2026 (estimate) | UN demographic model |
| Trading Economics | ~5.4–5.5 million | End of 2026 (forecast) | Econometric model and forecast |
In brief: for practical purposes (relocation, business, applied statistics), it is more reliable to refer to NCSI data as the primary government source with regular updates. UN and international aggregator estimates are useful for comparing Oman with other countries and analysing long-term demographic trends.
Over recent decades, the population of Oman has grown considerably, reflecting economic modernisation, infrastructure development, and an increase in the inflow of labour.
Table 2. Dynamics of population growth in Oman (estimates based on UN and national statistics data)
| Year | Population | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | ~660,000 | Before large-scale modernisation and the active development of the oil sector |
| 1980 | ~1,000,000 | The start of the oil boom and growth in government investment |
| 2000 | ~2,300,000 | More than doubled over 20 years amid an inflow of labour |
| 2010 | ~3,000,000 | Active infrastructure development and labour migration |
| 2020 | ~4,500,000 | Substantial growth in the pre-pandemic period |
| 2022 | ~4,700,000 | Recovery following the temporary outflow of migrants in 2020–2021 |
| 2026 | ~5.4–5.7 million | Continued growth driven by natural increase and migration |
The main driver of population growth is the combination of natural increase and the inflow of labour migrants working in construction, logistics, industry, services, and the public sector.
According to the UN forecast, the population of Oman will continue to grow, but at a slower pace.
Table 3. Forecast of population growth in Oman
| Year | Population forecast |
|---|---|
| 2030 | ~6.1 million |
| 2035 | ~6.5 million |
| 2040 | ~6.9 million |
The slowdown in growth is linked to a gradual decline in the total fertility rate among the indigenous population and the economy's progressive shift towards a more diversified employment model.
Foreign nationals make up a significant share of Oman's population; however, unlike some neighbouring Gulf states, the indigenous citizens in Oman still constitute the majority.
According to official statistics and publications based on NCSI summaries, Omani citizens account for approximately 55–60% of the population, while foreign residents make up around 40–45%. This is lower than in the UAE or Qatar, where expatriates form the absolute majority of residents, and this is precisely what distinguishes Oman's demographic structure within the region.
The largest groups of foreign residents are those from South and South-East Asia, with communities from India and Bangladesh being particularly prominent; citizens of Pakistan, Egypt, and other countries also have a notable presence.
The state religion of Oman is Islam, and the country is known as one of the key centres of Ibadism — a moderate school of Islam that distinguishes Oman from its predominantly Sunni and Shia neighbours. Among foreign residents there are Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and followers of other faiths, reflecting the diversity of its labour migrants.
The economically active and foreign population is concentrated primarily in coastal and urbanised areas. According to local summaries and analytical data, the greatest concentration of expatriates is found in the capital region of Muscat and in a number of industrial and port zones.
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This has a direct impact on the rental housing market and the structure of demand for services in the capital and major agglomerations, whereas in the interior governorates the share of foreigners is significantly lower.
The average population density of Oman is estimated at approximately 17–18 persons per km², making it one of the least densely populated countries in the region by this measure, despite steady overall population growth.
Important: the averaged density figure takes into account the country's entire territory (approximately 309,500 km²), including vast desert areas and mountain ranges where population density is extremely low.
In coastal urban agglomerations, such as Muscat, Sohar, Salalah, and other centres of economic activity, the actual density is many times higher than the national average.
The greatest relative population growth in recent years has been seen in developing regions where infrastructure and industrial projects are being implemented.
The majority of Oman's population lives in cities: the level of urbanisation is approaching values of 80–90%, which is comparable with other Gulf states. The share of urban residents continues to grow as transport, social, and economic infrastructure develops and projects in new economic zones are implemented.
Oman's population is characterised by a relatively young age structure, a notable share of working-age people, and a multinational composition owing to the presence of a large number of foreign workers.
The median age of Oman's population is estimated at approximately 29–30 years, which is considerably lower than in most European countries, where it exceeds 40 years. This means that more than half of the country's residents are young people, which affects both consumption patterns and the demands placed on the education system, the labour market, and social infrastructure.
Table 4. Birth rate, mortality, life expectancy
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total fertility rate | ~2.3–2.5 children per woman |
| Life expectancy at birth (both sexes) | ~77–81 years |
| Infant mortality rate | ~7 per 1,000 live births |
The demographic dependency ratio in Oman remains moderate, owing to the fact that a significant portion of the population consists of people of working age (15–64 years). This creates favourable conditions for the labour market and eases pressure on the pension and social systems compared with countries that have ageing populations.
Oman's GDP per capita, according to international economic organisations, stands at approximately $20,000 in nominal terms and roughly $35,000–40,000 in purchasing power parity terms. These figures differ according to the calculation methodology and must not be directly compared with one another.
Important: many online sources cite only one indicator without specifying whether it refers to the nominal value or purchasing power parity, which can be misleading.
Table 5. Oman's GDP per capita
| Indicator | Value (2024–2025) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita (nominal) | ~$20,000–21,000 | GDP converted to US dollars at the market exchange rate |
| GDP per capita (PPP) | ~$36,000–41,000 | Accounts for differences in the cost of living and purchasing power |
The PPP value is noticeably higher than the nominal figure because the cost of living in Oman is lower than in a number of developed countries, and the same amount of money goes further within the country in terms of the goods and services it can buy.
Oman's economy has traditionally relied on oil and gas extraction; however, in recent years the government has been actively implementing the Oman Vision 2040 programme, aimed at diversifying the sources of growth. The priorities are the development of tourism, logistics (including major port projects), manufacturing industry, and financial services, in order to reduce the budget's dependence on the oil and gas sector.
By nominal GDP per capita, Oman occupies a more modest position among the Gulf states, trailing the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, yet it demonstrates steady growth and is gradually diversifying its economy.
As of 2026, the NCSI records approximately 5.4–5.5 million people residing in Oman, while UN estimates and international demographic models put the figure at around 5.67 million. The discrepancy is due to the counting methodology and the assumptions used.
Foreign residents account for approximately 40–45% of Oman's population, meaning several million people. A significant proportion of them are traditionally from India, Bangladesh, and other countries of South and South-East Asia.
The average population density of Oman is around 17–18 persons per square kilometre, which reflects the country's large territory and the presence of extensive desert and mountainous areas. In cities and coastal agglomerations the actual density is significantly higher.
No — by its average density figure, Oman is among the sparsely populated countries; however, individual cities and economic centres are characterised by a high concentration of population and well-developed infrastructure.
The nominal GDP per capita of Oman is approximately $20,000, while on a purchasing power parity basis it is roughly $35,000–40,000. These are two different metrics and should not be directly compared.
The population of Oman continues to grow: the increase is driven both by natural growth among citizens and by the inflow of foreign workers. According to UN forecasts, the population may approach the figure of approximately 6.1 million by 2030.
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